I like historical novels. I got really hooked on Simon Scarrow's Roman army books. Read them all. I am now finding it hard to get a book to enjoy that has the same page turning, cant put down quality.
Great Expectations First time I've read it since I was 12 - forgotten how much I like Dickens humour
I am a massive dickens fan that is my fav!!
Yesterday after having it in my possession for ages from when it was suggested on the 'autism' thread I started reading 'The Curious Incident of the dog In the Night Time' I am over halfway through already, amazing book.
The Blond Knight of Germany.(Erich Hartmann). A Pilot's story 'from the other side'. Amazing book about the most successful fighter pilot of all time. Handed himself over to the Americans, who promptly passed him over to the Russians, who tried him as a 'War Criminal' (365 russian planes shot down, thats why!).Spent many years in Gulag. Took a personal request by new German Chancellor to get him out, where he was treated as a Celebrity in America by the U.S.A.F. Became Head of U.N. Fighter Arm in post-war Europe. The most un-put-downable book I've read.
I like historical novels. I got really hooked on Simon Scarrow's Roman army books. Read them all. I am now finding it hard to get a book to enjoy that has the same page turning, cant put down quality.
Any suggestions please??
My favourite military history novels are "The Last English King" by Julian Rathbone (battle of Hastings and the events leading up to it) and Gates of Fire by (I think) Steven Pressman (Spartans killing Persians). If you like non-military stuff as well Hilary Mantel has written some great books - Wolf Hall or course but also A Place of Greater Safety (French Revolution). Secret River by Kate Grenville (early Australia) is also fantastic.
Enjoyed the Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway. A bit over-elaborate and forced in his writing, but imaginative, interesting and funny. Very good for a debut.
Currently half way throguh the Lunar Men, a group biography of Erasmus Darwin, Matthew Boulton, Josiah Wedgewood and others who were members of a science society. I love that period of history, so much innovation - steam, electricity, canals, gases.
Also reading Knockemstiff, collection of short stories by Donald Pollock all set in a small town southern Ohio. Brillaint, spare writign reminiscent of Hemingway at his best. A bit disturbing though - everyone seems to be a wife-beater/speed freak or similar.
Young Hearts Run Free: The Real Story of the 1970's - Dave Haslam
Excellent look back at the musical and social history of the '70's ...for those who grew up then, it's a great read ...and interesting for those who would like to know ...really enjoyed this.
All Hell Let Loose by Max Hastings - a complete history of WW2.
Though I know the broad sweep of that war I have never studied it in any detail, and this book deals with all the important elements and is critical of much of the tactics and decision making on the British side. Abut 1/4 through, and enkoying it, though wishing the font was a bit bigger!
I like historical novels. I got really hooked on Simon Scarrow's Roman army books. Read them all. I am now finding it hard to get a book to enjoy that has the same page turning, cant put down quality.
Any suggestions please??
Bernard Cornwall books are good. Also, Conn Iggulden has written some good historical novels about Genghis Khan and also the Roman era. Wilbur Smith's novels about the forming of South Africa are a good read.
Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy by Max Hastings is excellent as well. Barbarossa by Alan Clarke is breathtaking in it's scope. Both have their flaws, more so with Clarke partly due to when he wrote in 1965 he didn't have access to papers. Neither are pro historians but make a mockery of Ambrose's pathetic, albeit readable, moronic grasp of strategy and reality.
Just started Jon Ronson's The Psycopath Test, he writes in easy style. Quite interesting subject.
I like historical novels. I got really hooked on Simon Scarrow's Roman army books. Read them all. I am now finding it hard to get a book to enjoy that has the same page turning, cant put down quality.
Any suggestions please??
You might like Caesars Gallic Wars and Rome at War by Kate Gilliver for a bit of background to the novels.
The History of the NME ... great book. Everything from the beginning and then through the period I remember NME the most ... 70's / 80's ... with Charles Shaar Murray, Tony Parsons, Mick Farren, Julie Burchill, Danny Baker, etc.
Fascinating look at the magazine in the context of a number of decades.
Comments
Hunger Games is a pale imitation
Quite dense in parts but still a good read for anyone interested in the origins and growth of rock and roll
First time I've read it since I was 12 - forgotten how much I like Dickens humour
Any suggestions please??
Yesterday after having it in my possession for ages from when it was suggested on the 'autism' thread I started reading 'The Curious Incident of the dog In the Night Time' I am over halfway through already, amazing book.
Currently half way throguh the Lunar Men, a group biography of Erasmus Darwin, Matthew Boulton, Josiah Wedgewood and others who were members of a science society. I love that period of history, so much innovation - steam, electricity, canals, gases.
Also reading Knockemstiff, collection of short stories by Donald Pollock all set in a small town southern Ohio. Brillaint, spare writign reminiscent of Hemingway at his best. A bit disturbing though - everyone seems to be a wife-beater/speed freak or similar.
Excellent look back at the musical and social history of the '70's ...for those who grew up then, it's a great read ...and interesting for those who would like to know ...really enjoyed this.
Though I know the broad sweep of that war I have never studied it in any detail, and this book deals with all the important elements and is critical of much of the tactics and decision making on the British side. Abut 1/4 through, and enkoying it, though wishing the font was a bit bigger!
Just started Jon Ronson's The Psycopath Test, he writes in easy style. Quite interesting subject.
Military,travel, novels etc.
Fascinating look at the magazine in the context of a number of decades.
Bloody amazing, bloody heavy going in parts. Took about 4 / 5 weeks.
Now reading "Solar" - Ian McEwan - for light relief...